Global Events Operations Leader

Global Events Operations Leader

Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Cisco

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and manage Cisco Live EMEA, creating unforgettable experiences for thousands of attendees.
  • Company: Join Cisco, a global leader in tech innovation and customer engagement.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a chance to shape the future of events.
  • Why this job: Be part of a world-class team transforming event experiences on a global scale.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in event operations, strong leadership, and data-driven decision-making skills.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.

As the Operations Lead for Cisco Live EMEA, you will be the strategic and operational architect behind Cisco's premier flagship event in the EMEA region. You will be responsible for orchestrating memorable event experiences for Cisco’s customers, partners and employees, hosting over 21,000 in-person attendees and reaching over 47 million digital viewers globally.

Meet the Team: This is an opportunity to be part of an award-winning, world-class event team. This team is at the heart of Cisco’s customer engagement strategy, tasked with delivering consistent, high-value, and innovative experiences that connect Cisco with its most important global audiences. Our goal is to transform Cisco´s relationships with customers and partners whilst driving measurable business impact for the company.

What You'll Do:

  • Strategic Leadership: Serve as a key member of the Cisco Live EMEA Team, defining the long-term vision for Cisco Live EMEA and ensuring alignment with Cisco's global corporate strategies. With the event moving to London for a three-year residency, you will play a lead role in this transition and be integral to setting the strategic roadmap for future growth.
  • End to End Program Management: Architect and govern the full operational lifecycle of Cisco's flagship event, ensuring that complex workstreams are integrated seamlessly from initial planning through to on-site execution.
  • Data-Driven Innovation: Lead comprehensive data audits (multi-year analysis) to identify trends and opportunities, analyzing attendee behaviours.
  • Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Manage large-scale vendor relationships, ensuring rigorous adherence to budget, timelines, and quality standards.
  • Global Collaboration: Work with our US and APJC teams to share best practices, ensuring a seamless "One Cisco" experience across all regions.

Who You Are:

  • Experienced Operations Leader: You have 10-15+ years of experience managing large-scale, complex regional events (20,000+ attendees).
  • A Strategic Thinker: You look beyond the current event cycle to identify future opportunities, particularly in transitioning events into new geographies.
  • Data and Analytics: You are comfortable using data and analytics to drive decision-making.
  • Resilient & Adaptable: You thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
  • A Master Communicator: You possess the gravitas to influence high-level management and the interpersonal skills to build strong, lasting relationships with suppliers and internal partners.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 10 years’ experience in senior event operations or program management.
  • Adept when working independently and as part of a team.
  • Good organisation skills with the ability to plan and prioritise.
  • Ability to multi-task under extreme pressure and work to strict deadlines without compromising standards.
  • Have the gravitas to build and leverage relationships across all levels.
  • Be able to work flexibly in a fast-paced changing environment.
  • Fluency in English (additional European languages are a plus).
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree.
  • Moderate travel required.

Why Cisco? At Cisco, we’re revolutionising how data and infrastructure connect and protect organisations in the AI era – and beyond. We’ve been innovating fearlessly for 40 years to create solutions that power how humans and technology work together across the physical and digital worlds. These solutions provide customers with unparalleled security, visibility, and insights across the entire digital footprint.

Fueled by the depth and breadth of our technology, we experiment and create meaningful solutions. Add to that our worldwide network of doers and experts, and you’ll see that the opportunities to grow and build are limitless. We work as a team, collaborating with empathy to make really big things happen on a global scale. Because our solutions are everywhere, our impact is everywhere.

We are Cisco, and our power starts with you.

Global Events Operations Leader employer: Cisco

Cisco is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. As part of the award-winning Cisco Live EMEA team, you will have the opportunity to lead large-scale events in London, driving meaningful engagement with customers and partners while benefiting from extensive professional growth opportunities. With a commitment to employee development and a focus on creating impactful experiences, Cisco empowers its employees to thrive in a fast-paced environment, making it a truly rewarding place to work.

Cisco

Contact Details:

Cisco Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Events Operations Leader

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Attend industry events, webinars, and meet-ups to connect with people in the field. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Show off your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website showcasing your past event management successes. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can orchestrate memorable experiences, just like Cisco Live EMEA.

Tip Number 3

Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like Cisco, and express your interest in working with them. A little initiative can go a long way!

Tip Number 4

Utilise our website! Apply through StudySmarter to streamline your application process. We’re here to help you land that dream job, so make sure you take advantage of all the resources we offer.

We think you need these skills to ace Global Events Operations Leader

Strategic Leadership
Event Management
Program Management
Data Analysis
Stakeholder Management
Vendor Management
Global Collaboration

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Strategic Side:When writing your application, make sure to highlight your experience in strategic leadership. We want to see how you've defined long-term visions for events and aligned them with broader corporate strategies. This is your chance to showcase your big-picture thinking!

Detail Your Event Management Skills:Be specific about your experience managing large-scale events. We’re looking for someone who can handle complex workstreams seamlessly. Share examples of how you’ve successfully orchestrated events with thousands of attendees, and don’t forget to mention any data-driven decisions you made along the way.

Emphasise Your Communication Skills:As a master communicator, it’s crucial to demonstrate how you build relationships with stakeholders and vendors. Use your application to tell us about times when your interpersonal skills made a difference in your projects. We love seeing how you influence and collaborate with others!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re proactive and keen to join our team at Cisco!

How to prepare for a job interview at Cisco

Know Your Event Inside Out

Before the interview, dive deep into Cisco Live EMEA's history, its impact, and what makes it unique. Familiarise yourself with past events, attendee feedback, and any innovative changes that have been implemented. This will show your genuine interest and help you articulate how you can contribute to its future.

Showcase Your Strategic Vision

Prepare to discuss your long-term vision for large-scale events. Think about how you would approach the transition to London and what strategies you would implement to ensure growth. Be ready to share examples from your past experiences where you've successfully navigated similar challenges.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Since data analysis is key for this role, come prepared with examples of how you've used data to drive event success in the past. Discuss specific metrics you’ve tracked and how they influenced your decisions. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to leverage insights for impactful outcomes.

Build Relationships on the Spot

During the interview, focus on showcasing your communication skills. Be personable and engaging, as building relationships is crucial for this role. Share anecdotes that highlight your ability to connect with stakeholders and vendors, and how those relationships have led to successful event outcomes.